Display rack

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment of a ball mount display rack, the rack includes a panel and an elongated member extending from the panel. The elongated member includes a first end attached to the panel, a second end located distal from the panel, an exterior surface, and an interior surface. The interior surface of the elongated member is accessible from the second end of the member. The elongated member is adapted to receive ball mount such that when the ball mount is received, either a portion of the ball mount is in contact with at least a portion of the exterior surface or a portion of the ball mount is in contact with at least a portion of the interior surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/674,205, entitled “Display Rack,” filed Apr.22, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to display racks and relatesspecifically to racks for displaying ball mounts.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Ball mounts refer to a variety of apparatus that are designed to connector attach to vehicles to provide the vehicle with a mechanism for towinga trailer or other such equipment. Ball mounts normally include amechanism for mounting a hitch ball to the ball mount. Ball mounts arenormally constructed or fabricated from metal and can be heavy andcumbersome for consumers to handle and evaluate in a retail environment.These limitations are particularly evident when a hitch ball is securedto a ball mount.

There exists a need for apparatus and methods that provide forconveniently displaying ball mounts in a retail environment to allowconsumers to better compare and gauge the functionality and usefulnessof various ball mounts.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to racks that display ball mounts. Inone embodiment of a ball mount display rack, the rack includes a paneland an elongated member extending from the panel. The elongated membercomprises a first end attached to the panel, a second end located distalfrom the panel, an exterior surface, and an interior surface. Theinterior surface of the elongated member is accessible from the secondend of the member. The elongated member is adapted to receive a ballmount such that when the ball mount is received, either a portion of theball mount is in contact with at least a portion of the exterior surfaceof the elongated member or a portion of the ball mount is in contactwith at least a portion of the interior surface of the elongated member.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, embodiments of the invention areillustrated, which, together with a general description of the inventiongiven above, and the detailed description given below serve toillustrate the principles of this invention. The drawings and detaileddescription are not intended to and do not limit the scope of theinvention or the claims in any way. Instead, the drawings and detaileddescription only describe embodiments of the invention and otherembodiments of the invention not described are encompassed by theclaims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display rack arranged in accordancewith the present invention and displaying ball mounts;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the display rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the display rack of FIG. 1 shownalong the line 2A-2A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the display rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a back view of the display rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the display rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the display rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another display rack arranged inaccordance with the present invention, including two sets of elongatedmembers, and displaying ball mounts;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the display rack of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another display rack arranged inaccordance with the present invention and including a slot along theelongated members;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the display rack of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of yet another display rack arranged inaccordance with the present invention for the display of ball mountsequipped with locking mechanisms; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of yet another display rack arranged inaccordance with the present invention, including a slot along theelongated members, and arranged for the display of ball mounts equippedwith locking mechanisms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Detailed Description of the Invention merely describes preferredembodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope ofthe claims or specifications in any way. Indeed, the invention asdescribed by the claims is broader than and unlimited by the preferredembodiments, and the terms in the claims and specifications have theirfull ordinary meaning.

While the described embodiments herein are presented in the context ofdisplay racks for ball mounts, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that the present invention may be used to display a number ofdifferent items. The examples presented in this specification areintended to illustrate the broad application of the invention fordisplay racks. The specific design and operation of the display racksselected provide no limitation on the present invention.

An exemplary embodiment of a display rack 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 through6. The display rack 10 is designed to hold and display a variety of ballmounts. Ball mounts generally take the form of structural members thatincludes a sleeve portion and a portion for mounting a hitch ball. Thesleeve portion of a ball mount typically is generally rectangular andhollow and can be mated with and secured to a cooperatively shapedmating receiver on a vehicle. Once the ball mount is secured to thevehicle and a hitch ball is attached to the ball mount, a trailer orother such equipment can be attached to the hitch ball such that theequipment may be towed by the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 1, the exemplary embodiment includes a left side panel12, a right side panel 14, a back panel 16, and a series of wireportions 18 joined together to form a top panel 20. The panels 12, 14,16, and 20 are coupled together to form a generally rectangular andrigid structure that may be hung as a display rack 10. The structure iscapable of maintaining its shape under relatively moderate to heavyloads caused by displaying objects in the rack 10. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, a series of elongated members 22 extend from the back panel 16.The elongated members 22 are arranged to support and hold items orobjects, such as retail ball mounts displayed in the rack 10.

The elongated members 22 are tubes that have generally thin-walledrectangular cross-sections. Each tube 22 has a first end 24 that iscoupled or otherwise attached to the back panel 16 and a second end 26that is distal to the back panel 16 and is generally unencumbered by anyattachments or couplings. The tubes 22 can be arranged such that thetubes 22 extend generally perpendicular to the back panel 16.Alternatively, as best seen in FIG. 2A, the tubes 22 can be arranged toextend at an inclined angle α such that the second ends 26 of the tubes22 are relatively higher than the first ends 24 of the tubes 22. Undercertain conditions, the inclined arrangement of the tubes 22 withrespect to the back panel 16 may make it less likely that items orobjects displayed on or in the tubes 22 are unintentionally removed,knocked off, or otherwise displaced from the tubes 22.

The exemplary tubes 22 of FIGS. 1 through 6 are hollow and thin-walledand designed to mate with or otherwise accommodate the sleeve portion ofa ball mount. Each tube 22 includes an outer surface 28 and an innersurface 30. The inner surface 30 is accessible from an opening 32 at thesecond end 26 of the tube 22. Depending on the cross-sectional size of aball mount, a ball mount sleeve may either slide inside a tube 22 orslide over a tube 22.

As seen in FIG. 1, a first ball mount 34 can include a sleeve portion 36with a relatively small cross-section that is accommodated by a tube 22when the sleeve portion 36 is slid into the tube 22. This arrangementplaces a portion of the ball mount 34 in contact with a portion of theinner surface 30 of the tube 22. A second ball mount 38 can include asleeve portion 40 with a relatively large cross-section that isaccommodated by the tube 22 when the sleeve portion 40 is slid over thetube 22. This places a portion of the ball mount 38 in contact a portionof the outer surface 28 of the tube 22. As described above andillustrated in FIG. 1, a hollow, thin-walled construction of a tube 22allows the tube 22 to accommodate multiple ball mount 34 and 38.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the side panels 12 and 14 can be equipped with aseries of hooks 42. Such hooks 42 can be used, for example, to mount thedisplay rack 10 directly into preformed holes in a wall or onto a track(not shown) that can be either free standing or attached to a wall.Hooks 42 allow for efficient exchanging, relocating, and mounting of thedisplay rack 10. Although the exemplary embodiment illustrates anddiscusses hooks as a method of securing the display rack 10, it shouldbe understood that any method of securing a display rack is included inthis invention. For example, a display rack can be integrated into acabinet, stand or other such support structure, or a display rack caninclude a series of apertures through which fasteners are passed tosecure the display rack to a wall, rail system or other verticalsurface.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display rack 10 can also be equippedwith a channeled display panel 44 running generally horizontally andperpendicularly to the top panel 20. The channeled display panel 44 canbe designed and fabricated to hold information regarding objects, items,or products for sale displayed in the display rack 10. For example,information cards (not shown) including universal product code (UPC)labels, or any other information that may be useful for a consumer, maybe displayed in the channeled display panel 44. In the exemplaryembodiment, the display panel 44 includes an upper horizontal portion 46and a lower horizontal portion 48 bent inward to form a track into whichan information card, for example, can be inserted. Once inserted, a cardwith product information can be horizontally positioned above thecorresponding product in the display rack 10.

The channeled display panel 44 together with the top panel 20 can form ashelf 50 for storing or displaying additional items. The channeleddisplay panel 44 can be secured to the top 20 and side 12 and 14 panelsin such a manner that the channeled display panel 44 forms a verticalbarrier that may restrain items from rolling or falling off the front ofthe shelf 50. The side panels 12 and 14 can be attached to the top panel20 such that portions of the side panels 12 and 14 form verticalbarriers to restrain objects from falling from the sides of the shelf50. The wire sections 18 that comprise the top panel 20 can include bentportions 52 at the rear of the top panel 20 to form another verticalbarrier to restrain objects from falling from the back of the shelf 50.

Although the top panel 20 is illustrated as a series of joined wiresections 18, one skilled in the art will recognize that the top panel 20can be fabricated in a variety of ways and from a variety of materials.For example, a top panel can be constructed from a solid metal sheetsimilar to the side 12 and 14 and back 16 panels; from a wood basedproduct, such as particle board; or from a polymeric material capable ofproviding the necessary structural integrity.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of a display rack 60 inaccordance with the present invention. This embodiment includes two setsor series of elongated members or tubes extending from the back panel16. Both sets of tubes 62 and 64 are identical, with the exception ofcertain physical dimensions. A first set of tubes 62 have across-section that has a smaller height and width than a second set oftubes 64. The length of the first set of tubes 62 is generally equal tothe length of the second set of tubes 64. As will be discussed, thedifference in cross-sectional size of the two sets of tubes 62 and 64allows the display rack 60 to accommodate and hold a relatively largenumber of different sized items or objects. The purpose of varyingdimensions of tubes 62 and 64 is to provide flexibility and variety inthe types of products that can be displayed in a rack 60.

Similar to the embodiment described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1through 6, both sets of tubes 62 and 64 have generally rectangularcross-sections. Each tube 62 and 64 has a first end 66 and 68,respectively, which is coupled to the back panel 16 and a second end 70and 72, respectively, which is distal to the back panel 16 andterminates in free space. The tubes 62 and 64 can be arranged to extendperpendicularly from the back panel 16 or arranged to extend from theback panel 16 at an incline.

In the exemplary illustration of FIGS. 7 and 8, the smaller tubes 62 arefabricated from #16 gage metal and have internal widths and heights ofapproximately 1.31 inches. The external height and width are eachapproximately 1.43 inches. With such dimensions, the small tubes 62 canaccommodate a class 3 ball mount 74 when the sleeve 76 of the ball mount74 is slid over the tube 62. Such a class 3 ball mount sleeve 76typically has an internal width and internal height of approximately1.50 inches. The small tube 62 can also accommodate a class 2 ball mount78 when the sleeve 80 of the ball mount 78 is slid inside the tube 62. Aclass 2 ball mount sleeve 80 typically has an outer height and width ofapproximately 1.25 inches. The larger tubes 64 can serve a similarfunction for larger ball mounts. The dimensions as described are merelyexemplary and the invention is not limited in any way to suchdimensions. Any suitable dimensions that permit embodiments of theinvention to operate as described herein are within the scope of theinvention.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of the channeled displaypanel 82. In this exemplary embodiment, the channeled display panel 82includes a pair of channels, an upper channel 84 and a lower channel 86.Both channels 84 and 86 run horizontally and parallel to the top panel20. The inclusion of two channels 84 and 86 can increase the amount ofinformation presented above objects, items, or products displayed in therack 60. Any number of channels can be used in the practice of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate yet another embodiment of a display rack 90arranged in accordance with the present invention. Similar to theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rack 90 includes a set orseries of small tubes 92 and a set or series of large tubes 94. In thisembodiment each tube 92 and 94 includes a longitudinal slot 96 and 98,respectively. The slots 96 in the small tubes 92 are defined by twoapproximately parallel surfaces 100 and 102 running longitudinally alongthe tube 92. The slots 98 in the large tubes 94 are defined by twoapproximately parallel surfaces 104 and 106 running longitudinally alongthe tube 94. The longitudinal slots 96 and 98 can be dimensioned toaccommodate features of ball mount that may interfere with a tube thatincludes a solid cross-section. The longitudinal slots 92 and 94extending along a tube 92 and 94 can be designed and dimensioned toaccommodate specific features on ball mounts. For example, ball mountscan include portions of a locking mechanism that can be accommodate bythe slots 96 and 98. Although the tubes 92 and 94 are illustrated withlongitudinal slots 96 and 98 running along a corner of a rectangulartube 92 and 94, this arrangement is exemplary only. A slot or any otheropening can be incorporated into a tube to accommodate unique featuresof ball mounts to be displayed on a display rack. The slots 96 and 98also allow for other manufacturing techniques for the tubes 92 and 94 ascompared to tubes with a complete cross-section.

Yet another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 11. In this embodiment, arack 110 includes a set of small tubes 112 and a set of large tubes 114.Each tube 112 and 114 include a pair of apertures 116 though thevertical walls of the tubes 112 and 114. The tubes 112 and 114 andapertures 116 are designed to accommodate ball mounts with lockingmechanisms. One example of such a ball mount is the integral lockingcoupler disclosed in U.S. published application 2004/0240934A1, filed onMay 28, 2004, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Ballmounts of this type may have locking mechanisms which generallyincorporate a pair of engagement pins in the ball mount sleeve to matewith apertures in a receiver. This mating can secure the ball mountsleeve to the receiver, and thus, secure the ball mount to a vehicle.The apertures 116 in the tubes 112 and 114 can be designed to simulatethe apertures in a receiver attached to a vehicle. This arrangementallows and moreover invites the consumer to experiment with theengagement and locking mechanisms on a tube 112 and 114 in a displayrack 110 in the retail location. The illustration of FIG. 11 is designedspecifically for the integral locking coupler disclosed in U.S.published application 2004/0240934A1; however, the tube can be designedto accommodate any ball mount with a locking mechanism, allowing aconsumer to test and experiment with the locking mechanism of any ballmount.

FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention. In thisembodiment a display rack 120 includes two sets of tubes 122 and 124.Each of the tubes 122 and 124 includes a longitudinal slot 126 and apair of apertures 128. This arrangement allows for the accommodation ofa large variety of ball mounts. Including ball mounts of differentcross-sectional sizes, ball mounts with locking mechanisms, and ballmounts with unique features to be accommodated by the longitudinal slot.

While various aspects of the invention are described and illustratedherein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, thesevarious aspects may be realized in many alternative embodiments, eitherindividually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof.Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations andsub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the presentinvention. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as tothe various aspects and features of the invention, such as alternativematerials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, and so on maybe described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a completeor exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whetherpresently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readilyadopt one or more of the aspects, concepts or features of the inventioninto additional embodiments within the scope of the present inventioneven if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein.Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of theinvention may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement ormethod, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature isrequired or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further,exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assistin understanding the present invention however, such values and rangesare not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to becritical values or ranges only if so expressly stated

1. A rack for displaying ball mounts comprising: a. a panel; and b. anelongated member extending from the panel and comprising: i. a first endattached to the panel; ii. a second end located distal from the panel;iii. an exterior surface; and iv. an interior surface accessible fromthe second end of the member; wherein the member is adapted to receive aball mount such that when the ball mount is received, either a portionof the ball mount is in contact with at least a portion of the exteriorsurface or a portion of the ball mount is in contact with at least aportion of the interior surface.
 2. The rack of claim 1 wherein theelongated member extends from the back panel at an incline, such thatthe second end is positioned above the first end.
 3. The rack of claim 1wherein the member is a tube.
 4. The rack of claim 3 wherein thecross-section of the tube is generally square.
 5. The rack of claim 3wherein the tube comprises: a. a first wall; b. a second wall attachedto the first wall; c. a third wall attached to the second wall; and d. afourth wall attached to the third wall.
 6. The rack of claim 5 whereinthe first wall and the fourth wall are arranged such that the first walland the fourth wall define a slot in the tube.
 7. The rack of claim 3further comprising a plurality of tubes.
 8. The rack of claim 7 whereinthe plurality of tubes includes a first tube and a second tube and aheight and width of the first tube are greater than a height and widthof the second tube.
 9. The rack of claim 1 wherein the member defines atleast one aperture.
 10. The rack of claim 9 wherein the at least oneaperture is adapted to receive a securing mechanism of a ball mount whenthe ball mount is received by the member.
 11. The rack of claim 10wherein the securing mechanism includes a pin.
 12. The rack of claim 1further including a channeled display panel adapted to retaininformation cards.
 13. A rack for displaying ball mounts comprising: a.a back panel comprising: i. a first end; ii. a second end; and iii. afront surface; b. a first side panel attached to the first end of theback panel; c. a second side panel attached to the second end of theback panel; and d. a plurality of tubes, each of the plurality of tubescomprising: i. a first end attached to the front surface of the backpanel; ii. a second end; iii. an outer surface; and iv. an innersurface; wherein each of the plurality of tubes is arranged to receive asleeve of a ball mount either along the inner surface of the tube oralong the outer surface of the tube.
 14. The rack of claim 13 whereinthe plurality of tubes is attached to the back panel such that thesecond end is positioned above the first end.
 15. The rack of claim 13wherein the sleeve of the ball mount is received from the second end ofthe tube.
 16. The rack of claim 13 wherein the rack includes at leastone tab arranged to secure the rack to a generally vertical surface. 17.The rack of claim 16 wherein a first of the at least one tab extendsfrom the first side panel and a second of the at least one tab extendsfrom the second side panel.
 18. The rack of claim 13 further comprisinga top panel attached to at least one of the back panel, first sidepanel, or second side panel.
 19. The rack of claim 18 wherein the toppanel is arranged such that the top shelf is generally horizontal whenthe rack is secured to a generally vertical surface.
 20. The rack ofclaim 18 further comprising a channeled display panel arranged to acceptinformation cards and attached to at least one of the first side panel,second side panel, back panel, or top panel.
 21. A display rackcomprising: a. a body including a back wall; b. a plurality of tubesextending from the back wall, each of the plurality of tubes comprising:i. a first end attached to the back wall; ii. a second end locateddistal from the back wall; iii. an exterior surface; and iv. an interiorsurface accessible from the second end; and c. a ball mount including asleeve, the sleeve received by a first of the plurality of tubes. 22.The rack of claim 21 wherein when the sleeve is received by the firsttube, at least a portion of the sleeve is contiguous with the interiorsurface.
 23. The rack of claim 21 wherein when the sleeve is received bythe first tube, at least a portion of the sleeve is contiguous with theexterior surface.
 24. The rack of claim 21 wherein a cross-section ofthe first tube is generally rectangle.
 25. The rack of claim 24 whereina height and width of the first tube is greater than a height and widthof a second of the plurality of tubes.
 26. The rack of claim 21 wherethe first tube defines a slot running from the first end to the secondend.
 27. The rack of claim 21 wherein the ball mount includes a securingmechanism.
 28. The rack of claim 27 wherein the first tube defines anaperture to receive the securing mechanism.
 29. The rack of claim 21further comprising a channeled panel arranged to display informationcards.
 30. The rack of claim 21 wherein when the sleeve is received bythe first tube, the sleeve and the first tube are generally coaxial.